The Amazing Race 4, Episode 1: The Race Is On, but There Is Always Time for Coffee

As they wait for time to pass before it is time for the busses to leave, the teams go to seek shelter. Debra and Steve get to a hotel and debate whether to try and save money or pay for the room. They decide to go talk it over, but the other teams arrive and suck up the rooms, leaving none for Debra and Steve when they finally decide they want one. Luckily, Reichen and Chip let them stay with them in their room. That is so nice of them, and like Kelly said earlier, karma will come back to them. I like Reichen and Chip at this point. In their room though, Steve is sad that he let Debra down. Debra tries to be encouraging, but when Steve starts to cry, so does Debra. They really love one another and it's so sweet. They have it better than Russell and Cindy though, who are bickering by the bus terminal because they can't figure out if they are allowed to sleep on the street or not. I'm not sure how I feel about these two yet.

Time for the 2:00 bus to head out to parts unknown. The teams on the first bus find out they are headed for the mountains, and that is where they will find their next route marker. As the first bus arrives, each team makes their way to the route marker that tells them to get to Cinque Torre and get to the base of the mountain, where there will be a marked path that will lead them to their next route marker. Each of the four teams makes their way quickly to the next route marker where they find the detour. The choice for this detour is search or rescue. In search, the team must use a locating device over a large area to find a small signal. Once they find it, they must dig up the signal and catch a snow mobile to the bottom of the mountain. It may be a hard task, but getting to the bottom of the mountain will be quick. In rescue, each team member must walk across a set of cables and then use a zip line across another small gorge. This task can be terrifying, but done rather quickly. Each of the first four teams chooses rescue.

Amanda and Chris go first, followed closely by Millie and Chuck. Both complete the tasks rather quickly, but Steve and Josh are right behind them. Steve and Dave, due to their age, are running a bit behind. After they complete the detour, Amanda and Chris are the first to get the route marker that says to get to the pit-stop at The Lajadira Hotel. The last team that gets there will be eliminated. Millie and Chuck are right behind them. At this point we see the second bus get to the mountains, while the third is just leaving with Steve of Steve/Debra saying that he is sure one of the teams on that bus will be eliminated. Steve and Dave are still struggling with the detour and are very slow to complete the tasks. They blame their age. C'mon fellas, you are really not that old. 47 is seriously not that bad. They are acting like they are over 70. If the Gutsy Grannies could hang glide, I think Steve and Dave can zip-line.

The teams from the second bus arrive at their destination but Monica and Sheree decide to go for the fast forward. Why? I have no idea. That was really not a smart decision. They have two hours on the other bus and decide to waste their fast forward this early. Not a good decision at all, ladies. Headed for the pit stop, we have Amanda and Chris fighting while Millie and Chuck just stroll right by them. Amanda is dragging and Chris yells at her, "Come on, Flo!" Ah, he obviously watched the third Amazing Race. Chuck says that Millie motivates him. Isn't that sweet? Maybe she'll motivate him to propose, I mean… it's WAY overdue!

Monica and Sheree are having problems getting to the fast forward, as which they have to hike in the snow to acquire it, but sure enough they claim it and head right for the pit stop. I still think it was a waste to get it this early. There were in no danger of being eliminated. Speaking of the pit stop, Amanda and Chris, Millie and Chuck, and Josh and Steve all stick together and wait for one another when making their way to the pit stop. Meanwhile, Steve and Dave are still making their way down the mountain and Dave gets hurt because he has a bum knee. They have to rest for a few minutes but eventually get to the bottom.

At the pit stop, Phil is grinning from ear to ear as Millie and Chuck, Amanda and Chris, and Josh and Steve all claim first place together. Good news for all of them. Since they all came in first, they ALL get a trip to Hawaii to enjoy after the show. All this love tends to make me sick to the stomach. Thank goodness we know Chuck and Millie aren't making love, since we are on the subject. Steve and Dave are still struggling to get to where they are going. At that point, Monica and Sheree get to the mat and find out they are the fourth team to arrive. They are happy, but I think they thought they were first. They both say they do not regret using the fast forward this early. I don't know ladies, not a good idea at all.